THE Northern Ireland Bar Council has published its first comprehensive directory to the membership of the Bar as part of a strategy to create a more open service and to develop public awareness of the role of counsel.
The directory, launched yesterday at a reception in the Bar Library at the Courts of Justice in Belfast, sets out details of each of the almost 400 members of the Bar. It lists their qualifications, special areas of interest, foreign languages spoken and membership of other bodies.
The Lord Chief Justice, Sir Brian Hutton, said the directory was a complete guide to the Northern Ireland Bar and would be of great benefit to solicitors. The Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, who also attended the reception, welcomed the Bar's "lifting the veil of professional mystique".
The chairman of the Bar Council, Mr Eugene Grant, said the directory was part of a wider strategy on its part. It was the first significant step by the Bar in making its services more visible to the professions and to the general public.
Until recently, access to barristers was only available - in relation to advisory work and litigation - through solicitors. As part of a strategy announced in April, the Bar Council can make direct professional access available to, members of certain approved professional bodies, particularly in the areas of architecture, engineering and accountancy.
The Bar Council has already approved applications from 16 professional bodies who may brief counsel directly in non contentious matters.